Advertising Summary: VCUarts is excited to announce a one-year temporary opportunity for an Assistant Professor of Technical Direction that will responsible for teaching technical direction related classes in the BFA/BA Theatre curriculum including Stagecraft, Structural Design, Rigging and related subjects.
Unit: School Of The Arts MBU
Department: Theatre
DepartmentSummary: Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 50 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Assistant Professor of Technical Direction
Temporary one-year appointment for the period beginning August 16, 2026 through May 15, 2027
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)
Department of Theatre and Dance
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Length of appointment: August 16, 2026 through May 15, 2027
Type of position: This is a one-year temporary position that will end on May 15, 2027
Consideration Process: Those who wish to express interest in this one-year temporary opportunity are invited to submit their materials for consideration by Thursday, March 19, 2026. Materials will be considered as they are received and until an appointee is identified. Additional instructions for consideration are provided below.
The Opportunity:
VCUarts is excited to announce a one-year temporary opportunity for an Assistant Professor of Technical Direction that will responsible for teaching technical direction related classes in the BFA/BA Theatre curriculum including Stagecraft, Structural Design, Rigging and related subjects.
It is expected that a competitive national search will be conducted during the 2026-2027 academic year with the goal of identifying a permanent Assistant Professor of Technical Direction to start in August 2027. The temporary Technical Director will be eligible to apply for the permanent opportunity when it is announced.
Description of general responsibilities :
The Assistant Professor of Technical Direction will be responsible for:
- Teaching technical direction related classes in the BFA/BA curriculum including Stagecraft, Structural Design, Rigging and related subjects
- Mentoring student technical directors and student carpentry and props crews
- Overseeing the planning, construction, installation and strike of scenery for Department of Theatre and Dance production
- Managing the scene shop
- Advising and collaborating on scheduling production seasons
- Preparing work calls and production calendars
- Planning budgeting and purchasing for scenic materials and other technical considerations for current and future seasons
- Coordinating build schedules
- Coordinating and maintaining a safe and properly stocked scene shop
- Preparing, organizing and supervising the scene shop for classes in stagecraft and related technical courses
- Service to the school and department and working collaboratively with theatre and dance faculty, students, and guest artists.
Application Instructions : To express your interest in being considered for this opportunity, please submit following documents online via the VCU Jobs Website:
- Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae or resume
- List of three professional references including names with titles and contact information.
- (References will not be checked prior to candidate’s approval).
Only electronic materials submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted. For best consideration, please submit materials by Thursday, March 19, 2026. Materials will be considered as they are received and until a temporary Technical Director is identified.
Qualifications:
- MFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Technical Direction/Theatre or professional experience, academic credentials, and technical skills that equate to a terminal degree in Theatre.
- Strong knowledge of contemporary technologies and practices.
- Teaching experience at the university level beyond the GTA/TA level is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of projections is a plus.
- Independent, strong project management skills and excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize resources, budget management, establish priorities, and manage deadlines;
- Experience overseeing a scene shop and/or comparable production facility and experience supervising support staff/hourly employees/student workers is strongly preferred.
- Theatre VCU faculty are expected to have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment, or have a commitment to do so.
- An emphasis will be placed on those who are able to help students transition from academia to the professional world.
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title:
Rank: Assistant Professor
Tenure: Ineligible
Months: 9 months
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Arts HR
Contact Email: artshr@vcu.edu
